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By all means, if you’re able to make this yourself please do so. The price tag is a bit hard to swallow, I know, especially since it’s a beanbag in the shape of a tire and intended for kids. However, it is knitted wool, sewn to a polyester fleece, and has appropriate detailing that puts it well above, say, something you’d find on sale in the kid’s section at your local furniture store. And, of course, Bertjan Pot is the designer, so if you’re an admirer (I am) you’ll appreciate the concept, if not the price point.
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I don’t know a lot about kids’ furniture, but I do know if a piece costs over the $1000 mark it better look damn good. Luckily, this bunk bed looks better than most adult beds, and will stand the test of time thanks in part to a sturdy Baltic birch plywood and FSC certified eco-MDF frame. As with most bunks, it separates into two beds (a loft bed and a standalone twin) should your little ones want a different configuration.
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If you’re in the market for some cheap(ish) kids furniture and don’t want to go down the IKEA road, check out this cardboard set by Riki Watanabe. No adhesives are used (it’s folded only) and could be considered a classic, since it won the Mainichi Design Prize in 1967.

Also, the C.F.S. Stool, which is more suited to an adult’s derriere, is $29 and also available at emmohome.com.

Table and stool set.
Colours: Orange, White, Yellow, Blue

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Now, obviously, with a little bit of effort, you might be able to recreate this chair for your own kids without shelling out $55. If not, you can shell out the $55 and rest easy that it’s not so expensive that it can’t be destroyed (and then recycled, of course). Designed by Pete Oyler, the chair is made from industrial cardboard and “sculpted” into shape by hammering.

100% recyclable, non-toxic

For the budding builder or designer, this cardboard DIY chair would be a fun afternoon project. With a little bit of time and elbow grease, recycled paper parts can be assembled into a chair sturdy enough to take on 132 lbs (though I doubt many 5 to 6 year olds weigh that much). Decorate and paint once assembled.

From MUJI, of course.

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Felt is ridiculously popular in furniture and product design right now. A new felted-whatever seems to be coming out every other day so it takes a little more effort to make something that will stand out. These pieces from Austrian children’s furniture company Perludi are doing just that.  The material is properly applied in three ways: it adds cushioning and padding for safety, it creates a playing surface for use with hook-and-loop fastners, and it adds some really fun color to the products. Perludi creates amazing non-felted products as well, but I had to just point these out in particular because it’s so refreshing and exciting to see felt used in a new and creative way.

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3D Puzzle is a children’s table, shelf, and chair furniture set that is easily assembled without the use of any tools or fastners. It also doesn’t come with any instructions. So it’s to you and your child to figure out what pieces go where and complete the puzzle. You can choose between a normal chair or a rocking chair and 1% of the sales goes to “Save the children”.

Designer: Elin Basander Lundin
Colors: black, white.
Suitable for ages 2-6 years.

Table: width: 32 cm, height: 28,5 cm, depth: 40 cm.
Chair: width: 40 cm, height: 36,5 cm.
Rockingchair: width: 40 cm, height: 39 cm.
Wall shelf: width: 25 cm, height: 25 cm.

Take a look at the dimensions before you get too attached; it’s a kid’s stool. Too bad it isn’t also available in a bigger version, but for those of you with little offspring now you have a very smart/cute option for their playroom seating.

from Context Furniture, designed by Ragnheidur Osp Sigurdardottir.
10.5l x 10.5w x 13h (inches)

Birch: $75.00
Red: $99.00

Foldschool is a project from designer Nicola Enrico St�ubli, which provides you with free downloadable patterns to create your own folding cardboard furniture for kids. Just follow the instructions and you’ll have a neat, recyclable alternative to purchasing furniture. Available patterns: stool, chair, and rocker.

Remember the minui HandySitt portable seat that we posted a while ago? Now it’s got a companion chair. When combined with the seat, it makes a freestanding high chair. Without the portable seat, it’s a stepstool and/or a chair for older kids. Nice.

Your baby stays baby-sized for only so long. Instead of spending money on a high chair that will be thrown out eventually, you could get this portable, folding cardboard one for a lot less and just recycle it with the little one has outgrown it.

Feedaway is a portable and lightweight version of the traditional feeding chair that can be pulled out for use as required and otherwise folded away flat, making it suitable for traveling and visiting where there is no baby/toddler feeding chair. Suitable for up to 18months and/or to 20kg. Feedaway is made from recycled Visy cardboard, and comes with its own 3 point safety harness and recycled cardboard carry box that is strong enough to withstand the rigours of travel by car, train or airplane. Feedaway also fits in a large suitcase.

This product has just reached the market and is only available in Australia for now (but can be shipped internationally), so stay tuned to the designer/manufacturer for availability in the states.

MeasureMe Stick transforms the traditional ruler into a playful, modern object. Display as an original graphic piece or use to chart your child’s growth through the years. Each piece is handmade in Chicago.
Materials

-Bamboo construction
-Non-toxic ink and finish
-Stainless steel pegs (mounting hardware)

A stool that doubles as a deer head when stored away… smart solution, don’t you think?

My Deer, a stylish and refreshing stool, available in a multitude of colours. If you don�t need it, hang it upside down on a wall hook and presto, it changes into a colourful, sleekly stylized deer head. Ideal for public spaces, where the seats can be transformed into a decorative gaily-coloured herd on the wall in just a wink… -Jeroen Wesselink

[via Yanko Design]
left image via matandme.net.

It seems like I know a bajillion couples that are having or have had babies this year, and if they should happen to call upon my expertise of available rockers online, I shall recommend this one.

It rocks and swivels, it’s cozy and wide and of course it’s friendly to the environment too. Perfect for a lullaby, story time or a cup of coffee and a good book, this Winged Glider can hold parent and child together (or several children at once) and will quickly become the favorite chair in your home.
The Alberto Glider is inspired by traditional wing chairs which in early American homes were meant to protect the lounger from a draft. This Winged chair envelopes the lounger and quiets the noise of the everyday bustle.

The slipcover (made of 100% Belgian Linen) is easily removable, machine washable and tailored. A hidden zipper along the back seam allows for the cover to be removed quickly.
Slipcover available in three colors: Cloud, Pebble or Twig.

$1995.00, Buy it here.

Here’s a smart storage solution for kid’s toys. The bins lay flat or swivel allowing you to adjust them to fit your little one’s needs. (The quilt is just for kicks. It’s cute and not too terribly expensive.)

The Toy Store storage system by Oeuf: $496.00,
Buy it here.

With the option for the bins to lay flat or swivel, kids will be happy to pitch in and clean up as they will be able to reach all the bins with ease. The bin dividers are removable so you can store a multitude of items of varying sizes – from the smallest Lego to oversized puzzles and everything in between.

Crazy Daisy Quilt: $80.00,
Buy it here.

This lightweight quilt can be used on the floor as a play mat or snuggled with on cool nights. Hang it on a wall for all to view and enjoy…

[posted by katie]